Compare towns

Killingly vs Salem vs Suffield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Salem has the most kids (23.2% under 18).
Suffield has the oldest population (median age 44.5).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureKillinglySalemSuffield
People
Population
17,867Highest
4,282Lowest
15,702
Median age
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
40.9±5.4
about the CT average
44.5±1.7Highest
8% above CT
Suffield and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
23.2%±5.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
16.2%±2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Salem and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±2.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±4.7Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.4%±2.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
50.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
40.4%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±3.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.4%±1.2Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Salem and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$123,245±$8kHighest
29% above CT
$119,472±$13k
25% above CT
Salem and Suffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$403,600±$33k
10% above CT
$407,500±$26kHighest
11% above CT
Suffield and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,440±$150Highest
3% below CT
$1,424±$141
4% below CT
Salem and Suffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$6,668Highest
about the CT average
$6,456
about the CT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
32.1%±26Lowest
CT: 52.6%
51%±4.6Highest
CT: 52.6%
Suffield and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
6.2%
CT: 10%
4.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
86.6%
CT: 66.5%
86.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
1979
12 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
5% above CT
32 minHighest
19% above CT
26 minLowest
3% below CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
18%±9.6
CT: 16%
18.4%±4.1Highest
CT: 16%
Suffield and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #136 of 149 in CT #11 of 149 in CT #57 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Salem School District Suffield School District
High school in town Killingly High School None in town Suffield High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
—
10.9Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

CT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.